Big Brother Africa Winners Over The Decade

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 Big Brother Africa returns to the continent's television screens, a little later but a lot better and definitely hotter! Starting on October 5, Big Brother HotShots is going to dish out drama, more entertainment than you can handle and most importantly a cool USD300,000 to the housemate who will manage to survive 63 days in Biggie's house.

As we hurtle towards season 9, we reflect on bygone Big Brother Africa winners who have collectively pocketed a whopping USD1,800,000 over the last decade (2003 to 2013). We're taking you down memory lane and revisiting those who got a piece of the money pie in previous seasons.

Cherise with Genevieve Nnaji.

Zambian, Cherise Makubale pocketed a USD100,000 cash prize in the show's inaugural season, just over a decade ago and after her release from the house where she fought for her place as the first Big Brother Africa winner, Cherise promised to buy a house for her British-born stepfather as a matter of priority. Cherise is now reportedly living in the UK and is active in charitable ventures in Zambia and is rarely spotted in her hometown of Kitwe.

After a four year hiatus, Big Brother Africa returned in 2007 where Tanzanian, Richard Bezuidenhout won after a tumultuous period in the house. He fell in love, had notable tantrums and survived nominations five times on his road to winning the cash prize. However, despite the controversey during his stay in the house, Richard went on to set up a film company in Tanzania and remains as one of Big Brother Africa's success stories.

The next season's winner came from Angola in the form of Ricardo David Ferreira Venâncio who was popularly known as Ricco. He also went on to participate in Season 9 of Big Brother Brazil as a special guest. He stayed in the house for four days and they hosted an Angolan themed party. Rumour has it that his tenure in Brazil was dedicated to studying when he wasn't in the house.

Season 4, Big Brother Africa the Revolution saw Nigerian Kevin Chuwang Pam walk away with the USD200,000 cash prize and a fiancé. He went on to marry fellow housemate Elizabeth Gupta from Tanzania and they have a 3 year old daughter.

Uti Nwachukwu was no stranger to being in front of the camera when he won the All Stars season of the show in 2010 and was the second Nigerian to walk away with the big bucks. Since his win Uti has ventured into music, even releasing an album. He has also used his win to make inroads into Nollywood, purportedly to further his modelling career.

Wendall and Karen.

Yet another Nigerian Karen Igho, together with Zimbabwean Wendall Parson, equally shared the USD 400 000 spoils in Amplified - the first ever series of Big Brother in the world to have two winners. Karen unfortunately battled with cancer last year but won the fight, announcing she was cancer free earlier in 2014.

It was South Africa's turn in 2012 when Capetonian Keagan Petersen walked away with the much bigger USD 300 000 cash prize on StarGame. Almost a year later after his R2.4 million win, Keagan was reportedly still staying in his parents’ house. Here’s what Keagan spent his money on:

•Mini Cooper
•Clothes
•Investments

He also went on to do a business diploma so he can learn how to manage his money and go into business to achieve his lifelong goal; to be a billionaire by 50.

The winner remained south of the continent for season 8 of Big Brother The Chase. Namibian beauty Dillish Matthews not only walked away with the cash prize, but she saw her popularity soar with cosmetic endorsements and appearances across the continent.

Of the eleven winners from all previous seasons, only four have been women. Do you think season 9 of Big Brother Hotshots will continue to be male dominated or has DiIlish started a trend for the ladies?

By BBA

Big Brother Africa